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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






2. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






3. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






4. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






5. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






6. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






7. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






8. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






9. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






10. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.






11. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






12. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






13. A string of chords played in succession.






14. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






15. Unmusical - without tone.






16. A separate section of a larger composition.






17. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






18. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






19. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






20. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






21. The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line.






22. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






23. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






24. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






25. A symbol indicating to play loud.






26. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






27. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






28. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






29. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






30. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






31. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






32. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






33. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






34. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






35. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






36. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






37. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






38. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






39. A composition written for nine instruments.






40. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






41. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






42. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






43. Repetition of a single tone.






44. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






45. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






46. A set of four musicians who perform a composition written for four parts.






47. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






48. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






49. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






50. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.